Press Release

PUC Hosts Wilkes-Barre ‘Be Utility Wise’ Education Event Focusing on Essential Customer Assistance Programs

Published on 10/13/2017

Filed under: Electric Gas Water and Wastewater Telecommunications Transportation and Safety

HARRISBURG – Education and outreach specialists from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) will meet with social service organizations from across the northeastern portion of the state next week as part of a series of statewide events highlighting customer assistance programs intended to help low-income households maintain essential utility services.

The PUC’s “Be Utility Wise” event for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 17, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Mohegan Sun Conference Center, 1280 Highway 315, Wilkes Barre.

The PUC’s Be Utility Wise events are intended to help local human service agencies and community-based assistance organizations better understand the utility programs and services available in their communities. The free “train-the-trainer” events feature presentations from state agencies, local utility companies and other financial assistance programs to share ideas. Presenters discuss financial assistance programs for utility customers, career tools for job seekers, energy conservation and weatherization, protecting against utility scams and more.

“One of the biggest challenges we face is connecting struggling consumers to the resources and agencies who can help them,” said PUC Chairman Gladys M. Brown. “By working together with community organizations, who are on the front lines every day, we hope to increase awareness of various customer assistance programs and reach more residents who may be struggling to heat their homes or pay their utility bills.”

The theme for this year’s PUC outreach campaign is “it takes a village of resources,” underscoring the roles that many different organizations play in providing services to families in-need.

According to data compiled by the PUC, Pennsylvania utilities spent nearly $398 million on various customer assistance programs last year, not counting private assistance or the federal Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Every year, these programs help reduce the monthly bills or reduce energy consumption for more than 313,000 electric customers and over 160,000 natural gas customers across the state – and enrollment and annual spending for these programs has increased dramatically over the past decade.

Additionally, utilities and their customers also contribute several million dollars per year in hardship funds, assisting thousands of in-need families.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases and video of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.pa.gov. Follow the PUC on Twitter – @PA_PUC for all things utility.  “Like” Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on Facebook for easy access to information on utility issues.

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Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov